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On May 12, 2017, Harry Styles released his first album as a solo artist. The debut studio album, self-titled “Harry Styles,” was his introduction to the music industry following his departure from One Direction. Better known as “HS1,” the collection of ten songs earned spots in Billboard’s “50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics’ Picks,” Time’s “Top 10 Albums of 2017,” and many more. The album gained a reputation for being packed with incredibly well-written songs, which explains its success after the release.
“Meet Me In The Hallway”
The first track of the album, “Meet Me in the Hallway,” explains the desire to save a relationship that’s coming to a painful end. The line, “I just left your bedroom,” (( Harry Styles. “Meet Me in the Hallway.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) is at the beginning of the song, and another line, referencing that first one, appears later: “Just let me know, I’ll be at the door.” (( Harry Styles. “Meet Me in the Hallway.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) This implies that the singer is referring to wanting to leave the relationship, but the singer is ready to come back if the other person changes their minds.
Another one of the starting lines asks, “Is there any more to do?” (( Harry Styles. “Meet Me in the Hallway.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) This connects to the closing lyric, “Nothing else will do” (( Harry Styles. “Meet Me in the Hallway.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )), which shows that despite how much effort the singer was putting in to save the relationship, in the end, it would never be pieced back together.
“Sign Of The Times”
Harry Styles revealed that one of his most popular songs, “Sign of the Times,” is about the death of a mother during childbirth. (( Harry Styles, interview with Cameron Crowe. Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2017. )) The story follows the mother who is told she only has five minutes to tell her child that everything is going to be alright and that they’ll always be together, which explains why the length of the song is five minutes and forty-one seconds. Harry viewed this message as especially important because it would be frightening for a young child to enter alone into a world filled with anger and hate, but it would get better as long as they continue to fight for their happiness and not allow themselves to be held down by all of the pain.
“Carolina”
After two solemn songs open the album, “Carolina” turns the feeling to something more exciting and upbeat. Speculated to be about Townes Adair Jones, the song is about the singer going on a blind date with an incredible girl but not seeing her again. Based on the lyrics, she is unique and unlike anyone, he had ever met before. This is clear in the line, “I met her once and wrote a song about her” (( Harry Styles. “Carolina.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) showing that this one interaction left a strong impression on him.
“Two Ghosts”
Despite widespread speculation that “Two Ghosts” was about Harry’s ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift, he denied the rumors and clarified that it was just about two people who were once in a good relationship but drifted apart. One of the main lines repeated during the chorus of the song is, “We’re not who we used to be, we’re just two ghosts standing in the place of you and me” (( Harry Styles. “Two Ghosts.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) explaining that both people had changed drastically since the last time they had been together. Despite their length of time in the relationship, the inevitable had occurred: they had become very separate people.
“Sweet Creature”
The fifth song on the album, “Sweet Creature,” is about having trouble staying close with someone in your life. The song explains that due to the singer and subject’s young ages and the changes in their lives, it’s difficult for them to predict how their relationship will turn out. All these factors cause arguments and increase the tension between the two people. The line, “We don’t know where we’re going, but we know where we belong,” (( Harry Styles. “Sweet Creature.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) is saying that even though it is difficult to see how to fix things, the singer knows that it will end with them happy together. He will always be deeply attached to this person, no matter how much they fight, and they will always have a special place in his heart.
“Only Angel”
Starting soft and sweet, the quick beat change in “Only Angel” grasps the listener’s attention. The peaceful start of the song shows the traditional meaning of an angel, a sweet and delicate creature. The drastic switch shows a darker and more adventurous side to the type of person not typically associated with the word “angel.” The song is about a girl who can be caring and kind but powerful and exciting, showing the irony of the use of “angel” in the song. Despite the potentially disastrous qualities this person has, the singer still can’t help but fall in love with her because she still is somewhat an angel in their eyes.
“Kiwi”
Perhaps one of the most exciting songs on the album, “Kiwi,” is about a somewhat unpredictable woman. It is hard to tell what she is going to do next, and at times, that seems to frustrate the singer. The time he spends with her is always eventful, and there is never a dull moment. This woman constantly has something adventurous going on, and it is difficult to try to work with her, but it is always worth it in the end.
“Ever Since New York”
One of the most popular analyses of the eighth, “Ever Since New York,” is that the lyrics share a powerful but deeply upsetting story about someone extremely close with the very ill singer. Harry sings about his stepfather, Robin Twist, who was diagnosed with cancer and all of the pain brought with it. One of the most heartbreaking lyrics in the song is, “There’s no water inside this swimming pool” (( Harry Styles. “Ever Since New York.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) which explains that the hope that he was once filled with had been drained out over time till there was nothing left.
“Woman”
Changing the mood, “Woman” is about the singer being jealous of his ex’s new significant other. He believes that the ex should be with him, rather than this new person he believes is not even close to well-suited. It seems as if the singer is almost obsessed with the desire to get back the relationship he once had. He no longer wants to just observe their lives from afar, wishing that things had turned out differently.
“From The Dining Table”
The final song, “From the Dining Table,” is the calmest song on the album. Harry sings about just getting out of a relationship and being a complete mess over it. He deeply misses the person referenced in the lyric, “Even my phone misses your call,” (( Harry Styles. “From the Dining Table.” Harry Styles, Erskine Records, 2017. Spotify. )) explaining that every piece of his life is filled with longing to talk to them once again. However, the other person does not seem to miss the relationship, so the singer is left alone to cope with the empty place in his life.
Overview
In its entirety, the album includes a wide range of musical genres, from soft melodies to harder rock. Each song carries a different story that is beautifully written to show all of the emotions the singer felt during every experience. It is no mystery that the “Harry Styles” album spread through the music industry and became an instant hit.
